Faster Labor Contracts Act

Received in the Senate.

Jun 10, 2026

This bill sets mandatory timelines and procedures for negotiating initial collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). It requires negotiations to begin within 10 days of a bargaining representative's recognition, mandates that parties make reasonable efforts to reach agreement, and establishes a mediation process through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service if no agreement is reached after 90 days. If mediation fails within 30 days, the bill directs the parties to binding arbitration, where a panel considers factors including employer finances and employee cost of living to render a final agreement lasting two years. The bill also requires employers to maintain current wages and conditions during negotiations and continue bargaining obligations even after decertification of a representative, and directs the Government Accountability Office to report on average timeframes for reaching initial CBAs.

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Faster Labor Contracts Act This bill establishes mandatory deadlines for parties negotiating an initial collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and provides for mediation and arbitration to finalize CBAs. Under the bill, CBA negotiations must begin within 10 days after an employer receives a written request from a newly recognized or certified bargaining representative. The bill provides that parties must make every reasonable effort to conclude and sign a CBA. Further, the bill provides that, if the parties have not reached an agreement after 90 days, either party may request mediation by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). The bill directs FMCS to use its best efforts to secure an agreement. If mediation does not result in an agreement within 30 days (or an additional period agreed to by both parties), FMSC must refer the parties to an arbitration panel to render a decision settling the dispute. The panel must consider specified factors, including the employer's financial prospects and employees' cost of living. The resulting CBA is binding on the parties for two years. (Parties may agree to amend the terms during the two-year period.) The bill specifies that (1) an employer must maintain current wages, hours, terms, and conditions of employment during negotiations; and (2) an employer's duty to collectively bargain continues even if a representative has been decertified. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress regarding the average number of days between the certification or recognition of a bargaining representative and the date the initial CBA was executed.